One of the major rule changes made for the 2020 MLB season was the addition of a runner on second base at the beginning of each extra inning frame.
Commissioner Rob Manfred argued that this rule would help eliminate marathon extra-inning games in the interest of player health in the condensed 2020 season.
While Manfred may have had his logic in implementing this new quirk, some players and managers were not so thrilled about the new rule. After he was asked about the new rule on Wednesday, you can add star Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw to the list.
Kershaw was asked about the new rule after a 6-4 extra-innings win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, which saw the extra runner score to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead.
Kershaw said, “it’s not real baseball, but it’s fine for this year, and I hope we never do it again.” Thankfully for Kershaw, while no decision has been made on the new rule in regular seasons going forward, it will not be included in this year’s postseason.
Interestingly, the Dodgers have come out on the right end of most of their extra innings matchups this season, going 5-1 in said games.
The Dodgers currently have baseball’s best record at a blistering 32-12, and look to be a lock for their eighth consecutive NL West pennant.
